About the Contributor(s): Brian Arthur Brown is the designer of A Diagram of Sources of the Pentateuch, featured in the sequel to this book, Forensic Scriptures. A minister of the United Church of Canada, he lives in Niagara Falls with his wife, Jenny.

This volume is the first in a series of publications on the interface between ecumenical theology and social transformation in the (South) African context. It focuses on the significance but also the contested nature of reconciliation as one expression of a guiding moral vision for South Africa. It includes a leading essay by Ernst Conradie and responses to the theme by Mary Burton, Fanie du Toit, Sarah St Leger Hills, Demaine Solomons and Vuyani Vellem.

One of the most divisive issues in Western Christianity since the Reformation is the question of how humans are justified by God. In 1999, after many decades of ecumenical dialogue, Lutherans and Roman Catholics have declared that this issue of 'justification by faith' is no longer a cause of division between them. One of the fascinating features of this Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) is that it expresses a 'differentiated consensus' on justification. The method of differentiated consensus is generally regarded as an important methodological step forward in the ecumenical dialogue. It has been used and referred to in ecumenical documents published after 1999. But what are its meaning and implications? This study attempts to clarify the method of differentiated consensus by (1) investigating the process of doctrinal rapprochement which led up to the JDDJ, (2) examining the way the consensus takes shape in the document itself, (3) analyzing arguments offered by critics and advocates of the official dialogue and (4) reflecting on the concept of doctrinal difference.

Being Moses the stone upon which Christ would have built his Church, the Ten Commandments is what ties together Judaism, Christianity, Islam and many other faiths. In a world where everything seems to constantly change, or flowing as Heraclitus used to observe, the pivot of human condition never changes throughout all epoques.

In the last century, amazingly, world Christianity's center of gravity has effectively moved from Europe to a point near Timbuktu in Africa. Never in the history of Christianity has there been such a rapid and dramatic shift in where Christians are located in the world.Wesley Granberg-Michaelson explores the consequences of this shift for congregations in North America, specifically for the efforts to build Christian unity in the face of new and challenging divisions. Centers of religious power, money, and theological capital remain entrenched in the global, secularized North while the Christian majority thrives and rapidly grows in the global South. World Christianity's most decisive twenty-first-century challenge, Granberg-Michaelson argues, is to build meaningful bridges between faithful churches in the global North and the spiritually exuberant churches of the global South.

For as long as Christian churches and communities have been divided, there are those who have looked for ways to heal the fractures. Callan Slipper offers five ways for Christians to approach one another on the path toward unity. (1) Recognize the need; (2) start from being united; (3) proceed one person at a time, with love; (4) don't make yourself the measure of truth. Truth is a person. It is Jesus; (5) embrace the cross, and let Jesus' love transform division. His observations come from years of experience with ecumenists, and his optimism that unity is inevitable is evidence that faith and hope undergird the challenges that abide our daily choice to build Christian unity by the way we love one another.

Michael Nazir-Ali grew up in a Muslim family and is now a Christian church leader, and this book is a clear demonstration of the shared spiritual heritage between Christians and Muslims and the points at which the two faiths diverge. The effects of the terrorist attacks in America in September 2001 polarized opinion about Islam in the West. Never was the need for understanding felt so keenly, and on the other hand suspicion and fear multiplied. The Bishop of Rochester grew up in a Muslim family and here presents in easy-to-follow question and answer format all that you wanted to know but didn't like to ask about Muslims and their beliefs. This is a useful resource for all who live, work or minister in mixed communities.

The histories of the Church of England and the Methodist Church have been linked together for 250 years. In the 1970s, a proposal for unity failed narrowly. Now relationships between Methodists and Anglicans are stronger than ever, locally, regionally and nationally. Both are committed to the search for unity. What holds them apart? This official report of the Formal Conversations that began in 1999 sets out the common ground that has been rediscovered. It shows the strength of theological agreement, but also points out significant differences that require further work. Conscious of both the opportunities and the unresolved issues, the two churches asked the Conversations to draw up an agreement that would enable them to take a significant step towards future unity. The talks gave priority to mission and evangelism and paid special attention to diversity. This report proposes a national covenant, made up of mutual acknowledgement and mutual commitment. It should consolidate at the national level the many local and regional covenants that already exist and so prepare the ground for the next vital stage on the road to unity.

This book, by a Methodist minister with wide experience of churches in Britain and abroad, has arisen out of a consuming interest in the ecumenical movement in England over a period of years. Written in an open and attractive way, it describes the history of relations between churches since their earlier divisions, and focusses particularly on the situation at the present time. Was the church united in New Testament times, and what were the problems which caused divisions? After looking at these questions against the background of the early church and the Reformation, David Butler then looks at beliefs which have so often been in conflict in the past as they appear to others. What are the 'strange ideas' of Protestants and Catholics and why is each side so suspicious of the other? Why can't Anglicans and Methodists agree, and what about Catholics and Anglicans, Methodists and Catholics? Of course great progress has been made, and in particular growing convergence on understanding the Bible is highlighted, and the reconciliation over Reformation controversies is noted. There are also chapters on most recent ecumenical developments and on ecumenical spirituality. Then comes a description of the new scene: the role of the Black churches in the ecumenical movement, and the contribution of the Pentecostal and charismatic movements. Here is a book which any Christian can understand, and its infectious enthusiasm brings to life a vital cause which to some seems to have got bogged down with impasses or dulled by uninspiring statements reading perilously like bureaucracy.

In recent bilateral ecumenical dialogue the aim of the dialogue has been to reach some form of doctrinal consensus. The three major chapters of the book discuss the variety of forms of doctrinal consensus found in ecumenical dialogues among Anglicans, Lutherans and Roman Catholics. In general, the dialogue documents argue for agreement/consensus based on commonality or compatibility.
Each of the three dialogue processes has specific characteristics and formulates its argument in a unique way. The Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue has a particular interest in hermeneutical questions and proposes various forms of "differentiated" or perspectival forms of consensus. The Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue emphasises the correctness of interpretations. The documents consciously look towards a "common future," not the separated past.

This is a rich collection of fifteen articles by European, North American and Asian theologians who are concerned with the concept, life, unity and future of the church. It offers a wealth of broad perspectives on ecclesiology by scholars from Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox backgrounds. The first section, 'Perspectives on Ecumenical Ecclesiology', comprises reflections on postmodern ecclesiologies as well as on the development and problems concerning ecumenical methods and models of unity. The second section, 'Communion Ecclesiology and Otherness', provides some pertinent deliberations on how an ecclesiology of communion can integrate otherness. In particular, Zizioulas' communion ecclesiology is critically examined, the possibility for a retrieval of Eucharistic theology between Catholics and Orthodox is put forward, and Tillard's communion ecclesiology is appraised as offering resources for innerdenominational otherness. The final section, 'Ecclesiology in Global Contexts', considers critically the possibility of evangelical ecclesiology as an answer to ethnic impaired Christian community. The role of the (Catholic) Church and its values in Europe and vis-a-vis the European Constitution is examined. The Church of Nigeria's Constitutional Revision (2005) and its ecclesial- ecumenical implications comes into focus, and three notable concepts of unity, as developed by three Indian scholars, S.K. George, John Sadiq and Karem David, are evaluated. Finally, the Japanese diaspora in the States is appraised as a place where a particular Japanese Christian vision could emerge through the "internationalist ecclesiology" developed by Japanese Christian missionaries. >

"Glimpses of Grace" relates the joys and challenges of a prison chaplain through a series of one-page vignettes. The open-ended stories are written with a pastor's heart that seeks to minister to the needs and hopes of offenders who have committed serious crimes. The book takes the reader from opportunities of pastoral care to issues of relationships, authority, and restorative justice. The author explores the challenges of ecumenism and inter-faith dialogue while remaining true to his Christian faith. He looks at ministry from the perspective of volunteers and writes about how staff can be an ally in corrections. He regards offenders as subjects who define the nature of the pastoral relationship.Donald's high view of ecclesiology and solid theological background give this book a unique perspective. Don regards the chapel community as a natural extension of the visible body of Jesus Christ of which the larger church is a part. Don considers how offenders' experiences and other faiths can make one a more devout believer. The profound experiences of the "other" make one look more deeply into the resources of one's own faith.

The riches of the Jewish year with its high holy days, its times of preparation and celebration are opened up for all in this anthology of prayer, arranged in forty sections, which draws deeply on the Hebrew scriptures, the Old Testament and the Jewish spiritual tradition. Christian readers will be enriched by a deeper encounter with the roots of their own faith and the patterns of prayer and worship by which many Christian rituals and observances are shaped.

Description: By all accounts, the modern ecumenical movement is not moving much these days. Despite dramatic breakthroughs in the past few decades, the quest for a visibly united church--in which there is common confession of the apostolic faith, full Eucharistic communion, and mutual recognition of members and ministers--now meets with indifference by many, impatience by some, and outright hostility by others. In part, this is because the movement has not given enough attention to grassroots ecumenical engagement. This book is written to convince ordinary Christians, especially young Christian adults, that they too have a stake in the future of the ecumenical movement as its most indispensable participants. Ecumenism Means You, Too draws on the music of Irish rock band U2 to cast artistic light on various aspects of the quest for Christian unity. Whether one is a U2 fan or not, and whether one thinks the ecumenical movement is a good thing or a bad thing for the church, everyone who reads this book will learn something about the Christian theological framework apart from which neither the modern ecumenical movement nor the meaning of U2's music can be understood. The book includes an annotated bibliography of resources for ecumenical engagement and a glossary of key ecumenical terms for readers who want to learn more about the Christian practice of seeking the unity of the church. Endorsements: ."" . . at once profound and straightforward, deeply reflected yet highly accessible, theologically rich yet directly practical . . . a source of wisdom to be absorbed into the life-blood of each of our widely differing communities for their mutual enrichment . . . a superbly inviting and practical manifestation of what has come to be referred to as Receptive Ecumenism."" --Paul D. Murray Durham University, UK ""Whether you are passionate about, disappointed by, or indifferent to the church: if you love God, you need this book. Harmon shows you why mutual tolerance is not the unity that Jesus desired for his Body, and he gives you the tools to start knitting back together the broken pieces of the church-so the world might believe. This little book should be the marching orders for every Christian "" --Sarah Hinlicky Wilson Institute for Ecumenical Research, Strasbourg, France ""Few books on the ecumenical movement are as readable, and I would wager none has as appealing a soundtrack. Harmon invites us to strive for the hope of fuller visible unity with sisters and brothers in Christ, not by ignoring denominational differences, but by acknowledging what divides us while refusing to settle for division. The 'Ten Things You Can Do for the Unity of the Church' list alone is worth the price of the book."" --Beth Maynard co-editor of Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalog About the Contributor(s): Steven R. Harmon teaches Christian Theology at Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. A member of the Baptist World Alliance delegations to the international theological conversations with the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches and a plenary member of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches, he is the author of Towards Baptist Catholicity: Essays on Tradition and the Baptist Vision (2006). He blogs about his work in ecumenical theology at www.ecclesialtheology.blogspot.com.

Bound Together is a unique resource that addresses the intrinsic relationship between social justice issues and local faith and ecumenical community building. Bos articulates the theological warrants for ecumenical and interfaith ministry at a local level, showing how neighboring congregations of various denominations or faiths, simply by virtue of their common relationship to a surrounding community, have a theological connection that can cooperatively undergird joint ministry ventures. He explores how congregations or denominations of the same or different faiths can combine their resources and design a common strategy or program in response to the needs and assets of their particular community. To demonstrate, he takes a close look at both the African American denominations and the theology of the laity movement.

This book is ecumenical, interreligious, and metareligious in nature. It may have a provocative title, but it is the subtitle that says what the book is really about. The book is not simply an attack on religion, but offers ideas for improving religion, any religion. It defines what makes a true religion, in the most positive meaning of the term, and what makes a cult, in the most negative meaning. Rather than just pointing fingers, however, the book introduces the six criteria that make a religion, even a minority religion a true religion, and these ideas can be used to improve every religion by its believers, or by those who are priests, monks, rabbis, mullahs, religious people of any kind, or theologians. This book is for everyone, with religious ideas applicable to all religions, even Islam - in fact, the author justifies the applicability and necessity of the book by citing both the Qur'an and Muhammad. This book can increase or promote interreligious dialogue, and in a way that does not offend anyone in particular. It could also give new lustre to all religions with followers and clergy with an open mind.

The Mother of Songs -- the mother of our whole seed, bore us in the beginning. She is the mother of all races of men and the mother of all tribes. She is the mother of the thunder, the mother of the rivers, the mother of trees and all kinds of things. (Song of the Kagaba Indians of Columbia) Swami Vivekananda, the great prophet of modern Vedanta has declared that the fastest way to spiritual growth is through the worship of the Mother -- the sum total of Shakti, the dynamic feminine aspect of God or Brahman. Says the Swami, "If you want love and wisdom, worship the mother." In this book, nine goddesses or Great Mothers are examined, not for their Pagan idiosyncrasies, but for their humanism and their motherly devotion to humanity. In reality, all are one Mother, appearing to different peoples according to their traditions and understanding throughout historical time. Various comments pertinent to the divine Mother are provided by Swami Vivekananda, Vedanta sages, Christian and Sufi mystics. The Mother aspect has also had some bearing on modern psychology and psychoanalysis, especially in the context of the Jungian approach.

First major book-length study on this subject written by a Protestant in more than a century. / The dogma of papal infallibility has become increasingly problematic for Roman Catholics, and it is a major point of division in Christian ecumenical dialogue arguably the key issue separating Catholics and other Christians today. Mark Powell here contends that papal infallibility has inevitable shortcomings as a way to secure religious certainty. After introducing the doctrine, he illustrates those limitations in the life and writings of four prominent Catholic theologians: Henry Edward Cardinal Manning, John Henry Cardinal Newman, Avery Cardinal Dulles, and Hans Kng. / The book concludes with a fresh proposal for conceiving religious epistemology, ecclesial authority, and ecumenical agreement. Powell's Papal Infallibility is an accessible, critical study for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.